John Lowell

Singer/songwriter/guitarist John Lowell’s new recording, “She’s Leaving Cheyenne,” presents 12 Western-themed songs - which is nothing new for this accomplished musician. “I’ve lived in the West since I was three months old,” said Lowell, from his Montana home. “Like I say on the album package – I have a love affair with the American West – it’s history, it’s topography, it’s culture and it’s people.” Lowell has spent years as a well-respected touring and recording musician in the Bluegrass and Americana genres. No matter what it’s called, he’s been writing songs about people he’s met or read about and places he’s been for decades. His trio (the Growling Old Men) has appeared on “Prairie Home Companion” and his instrumental music has been featured in episodic TV shows for several years. John Lowell is best known lately for his songwriting, earning the Grand Prize in the 2021 Hazel Dickens Songwriting Contest. “It’s the first time I ever entered a songwriting contest, guess I’ll do more of that,” Lowell offers with a grin. “I’ve been writing and singing Western and Cowboy songs for many years but never really considered making a recording of them until the pandemic was upon us and I needed a way to feed my creative side,” added Lowell. “Some of these songs you’ll recognize, and some will be new to you. Four are original, two are classics, and there are some songs I’ve taken a new direction. I’ve included a favorite Dave Stamey song and found some that just seemed to fit.”